Cape Neddick. Maine

Historic Significance Score: 4

Receiving its nickname from the geographical term for a small lump of rocks that jets out into the ocean, which is what this lighthouse sits on, the Cape Neddick Lighthouse is affectionately called the “nubble” light. It is one of the most beautiful and photographed lights in the country.

In 1608, an English explorer to Maine dubbed the rock island that the future lighthouse would sit on “Savage Rock,” because it was there where the explorer first met the Native Americans.

In 1842, two different crewmen on the ship The Isidore each had a premonition in a dream that their ship would sink on the next voyage. One sailor refused to set sail, but the other one made the voyage, only never to be seen again, as the vessel sunk off of Cape Neddick. There is folklore that this vessel can be seen in its ghostly form sailing again around Nubble Light.

In 1874, Congress authorized the building and appropriated funds for a lighthouse on this rocky island, which is only 100 yards off the mainland.

One of the unique features of this light is that there is a cable trolley, or hanging basket (seen at the left near the telephone poles on the picture to the right), at the lighthouse, which was used to transport supplies to and from the island over the swishing waterway that separates the lighthouse island from the shore.

David Winchester, a Nubble Light Coast Guard keeper in the 1960s, actually utilized the basket to transport his son to school on the mainland, sending him over the swirling waters below, until the unique technique was publicized in the Boston Globe. Because of the newspaper piece, crowds started to show for the twice-daily event. The U.S. Coast Guard, thinking it was not in the best interest of the child to be 50 feet above the crashing waters, put an end to it.

Even though this lighthouse is a stone’s throw off the mainland, it still could be quickly isolated in bad weather. Because of this threat, there was always at least one month’s worth of supplies inside the lighthouse, and the Nubble Light has a water-collecting system that directs rainwater from the lighthouse’s roof to a holding tank in the basement of the house to provide drinking water.

In 1977, the spaceship Voyager II took a picture of the Cape Neddick/Nubble Light into space to represent “the American lighthouse,” leaving it in space for curious extraterrestrials. The Coast Guard picked the photo of this light to be taken aboard the Voyager, believing it to be the quintessential lighthouse in America.

In 1989, the Town of York entered a leasing agreement with the U.S. government to maintain and preserve the site for posterity.

In 1998, ownership of the Cape Neddick/Nubble Light was handed over to the Town of York, courtesy of the Maine Lights Program.

Majesty Score: 5

This is a prime example of a small lighthouse that carries itself huge! All the pictures that are taken of this light are taken from the mainland, a considerable distance away. This always makes the light look much smaller than it would be up close.

Out of all the lighthouses I have visited, I was most surprised with how awesome this lighthouse carries itself in person when compared with photos of it. This, combined with its featured location, gives Cape Neddick/Nubble Light a 5 for majesty!

At only 41 feet, the tower and light are perched way up on the island looking back at the shore and seem much higher than any corresponding structure on the mainland. It seemingly looks down on us from “high upon the mountain.”

Water View Score: 4

This is somewhat of an ironic score for this lighthouse as the Nubble Light IS the water view! That being said, the water around the light is very hypnotic. It crashes against the rocky shoreline on the mainland while hitting the island the light is on just as hard. The current of the 100-yard waterway between the island and mainland has a strong, back-and-forth rocking motion, which is soothing and great to see! As you can see in the picture above, these crashing waves and currents create vertical sprays of waves and great photo ops.

Preservation Score: 5

The Cape Neddick/Nubble Light is pristinely preserved. The Town of York, which manages the site, realizes the jewel it has and keeps it well-polished. The town is helped by the Friends of Nubble for the light’s restoration efforts.

One of the things that people who have not made the trip to Nubble Light will encounter is the large parking lot opposite the light that serves as the viewing spot for the light. When there are a lot of people around it’s somewhat hectic, but once you park and descend to the rocks surrounding the parking lot you will feel that you are in a more natural setting and will be able to enjoy the light more.

There is a small gift shop at the opposite end of the Nubble Light parking lot where you can buy Nubble memorabilia. The parking lot, viewing areas and shop are all part of Sohier Park.

Since the early 1980s, the lighthouse has been draped with Christmas lights for the holiday season, and this tradition has grown in popularity.

Surrounding Area Score: 4

The Cape Neddick/York area flirts with a 5 on our scoring scale. The beautiful towns with their quaint shops and buildings adjacent to rocky ocean shorelines allow you to experience the Maine Downeast culture within a short car ride over Maine’s southern border.

York’s two mile long Long Sands Beach and its smaller counterpart, Short Sands Beach, are great bustling locations to really enjoy the local atmosphere where restaurants, arcades, ice cream stands, antique shops and a carousel all await.

Besides one of the most photographed lighthouses in America, Cape Neddick offers a little more slower and secluded destination than York and York Harbor.

Although an incredible destination, be aware that Cape Neddick and York can be extremely crowded during summer months.

Accessibility Score: 2

This is the only score that Nubble Light does not do well on. Being that Nubble is on an island, you really can’t physically get close to it.

However, that fact should in no way stop you from visiting this light. Its character and presence makes the light seem closer than it is and makes the light very personable to everyone, despite the distance.

Beacon Score: 4

Nubble has an active fourth-order Fresnel lens that is surrounded by a red plastic shell to give the light a red appearance. It flashes for six seconds, then goes dark for six seconds.

Overall Score and Overview: 28

The Cape Neddick/Nubble Light is definitely a must-visit for any lighthouse enthusiast! Many would argue that this lighthouse is not rated high enough on this Web site!

It will win you over completely with its charm and lend itself to many great photo ops, not to mention memories.

I would suggest finding a nice-weather weekend in the off-season to visit this light. This will increase the enjoyment of your trip and let you really enjoy the great town of Cape Neddick

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Historic Significance Score: 5

Portland Head Lighthouse was the first lighthouse on the coast of what is present-day Cape Elizabeth Maine and the 13th to be built in the young country of America (it was built in 1791).

It was completed after the first Congress of the newborn country appropriated $1,500 in 1790 to complete the project, which began in 1787 but had been delayed a few years because of lack of financing. With this authorization, Portland Head Light was the second light to be commissioned by the new government.

President George Washington appointed Capt. Joseph Greenleaf, who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, as the first keeper of the light. Greenleaf’s duties began in 1791.

Portland Head Lighthouse underwent many renovations and tower height adjustments between 1813 and 1883. The tower’s height was increased in 1865 after public opinion sounded!

Some of this public outcry came after the vessel Bohemian sank off the shores of Portland Head in 1864, a vessel that was carrying immigrants to the New World.

Another shipwreck more than 20 years later had a bit of holiday luck. On Christmas Eve 1886, the vessel Annie C. Maguire ran aground into the rocks at the base of Portland Head Lighthouse. Although soaked and freezing, the 14 people aboard crossed a makeshift plank from the grounded ship to the lighthouse grounds to safety. Unexpected Christmas guests!

The famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a resident of the Portland area who wrote Paul Rever’s Ride, befriended a keeper of the beacon, Joshua Strout, and became a frequent visitor to the light. Longfellow would sit on the rocks on the south side of the beacon and write, exploiting the point’s serenity. It is believed his poem “The Lighthouse” was inspired by Portland Head Light!

Majesty Score: 5

Portland Head Lighthouse is perhaps the most picturesque and photographed lighthouse in the country!

At a tower height of only 80 feet, this lighthouse’s strong presence and aesthetic appeal easily bridges the gap in height and helps it score a 5 on majesty!

The lighthouse’s position on the shoreline also contributes to its majesty. Those who visit in person will notice that the lighthouse and keeper’s buildings are jutted out on a lip of the rocks

This really gives the feel that the lighthouse is at the vanguard of protecting the shores while making for great photo ops from both sides of it on land!

Water View Score: 5

The water view at Portland Head is awe inspiring and beautiful!

Understanding that Portland Head Lighthouse is really a bay light, guarding Casco Bay, and not an ocean beacon, the surrounding water still has an ocean feel to it. The waves break on the rocks on both sides of the lighthouse and rush to shore further inland past the lighthouse, which is out on its perch.

The coastline at Portland Head is rugged with dark sky-pointed rocks, and Ram Island Ledge Light can be seen as an isolated tower in the distance. There are a few islands to been seen as well.

Preservation Score: 5

Portland Head Lighthouse and Fort Williams Park, which houses the landmark, are both PRISTINELY preserved!

This setting is one of the best-maintained lighthouse parks we have seen! There are tons of green lawns perfectly manicured throughout the park that would make weekend gardeners envious (see right).

The light itself is extremely well preserved and lends itself to the taking of rolls and rolls of photographs.

There is a great, elevated picnic and barbecue area on a hill a few yards from the lighthouse that makes for an awe-inspiring view during a cookout.

Equally as impressive is what is called the “Cliff Walk Trail” to the north side of the lighthouse. This is a very well-maintained pebble trail (see below right) that winds up and down the coast near the lighthouse, seemingly offering better photo ops at each turn and with each overlook stop.

The site is managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth, which obviously realizes what this light means to its community.

Surrounding Area Score: 4

Situated in the 90 acres of Fort Williams Park, as mentioned, the surrounding area of Portland Head Light is pristine.

Outside of the park area, the nearest town to stop in is actually South Portland, which could pass for any town in America and you would never know it is so close to this magnificent light.

This neighborhood around the light gets more exclusive the closer you get to the light on Shore Road.

Accessibility Score: 4

Unfortunately, the tower is closed for climbing. The lightkeeper’s buildings have a museum and there is a gift shop on the grounds as well.

The lighthouse museum is open daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. It is also open some weekends at other times during the year. There is a small admission fee. Please consult the below link for specifics.

Beacon Score: 3

Currently, Portland Head Lighthouse features a DCB-224 beacon that is active and flashes every 4 seconds. The on-site museum features a second-order Fresnel lens.

Historic Significance Score: 5

In 1569, Spanish Captain Antonio de Prado’s expedition explored an ocean inlet in the northeast corner of present-day Florida that he christened “the Mosquitoes” because of the abundance of insects that greeted them.

Although this initial landing did not result in the establishment of a colony for Spain, after a short era of English control in the middle of the 18th century Spain regained this land in 1784.

The area soon flourished with plantations and the correlating commerce that followed created the need for a navigational aid for the shipping of goods.

In 1834, the U.S. Congress authorized the establishment of a lighthouse at Mosquito Inlet.

William H. Williams was appointed the first light keeper but never had the chance to carry out his duties because the oil needed to light the tower was not delivered to the location. After a severe hurricane in 1835 and 18 months of no oil deliveries, Williams took his family away from the lighthouse, leaving it to the whims of ransacking Seminole Indians, who broke into the tower and beacon room and confiscated the reflectors used in the lens.

This action was the beginning on the Second Seminole War, and the Battle of Dunlawton soon followed a few weeks later. It was recorded that these Seminoles used the stolen reflectors in their headdresses at this battle. Upon the Seminole victory, the area and lighthouse were abandoned for more than 50 years.

A new and exquisite lighthouse was designed by Francis Hopkinson Smith and built at the north side of Mosquito Inlet in 1886 as the need continued for a beacon between St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral to combat the dangerous currents.

In 1897, Stephen Crane, famous author of the Civil War classic novel The Red Badge of Courage was shipwrecked off Mosquito Inlet and used this new, grand light to navigate his raft back to shore. Afterwards, he wrote the famous short story “The Open Boat” to commemorate his shipwreck experience.

As the area grew in population, the location name was changed in 1926 to Ponce de Leon Inlet in the hopes of helping the real-estate market with a more appealing name.

In 1933 the lighthouse tower received electricity and within a decade the grounds were used to house Coast Guardsmen in World War II, who watched and patrolled the shores for enemy submarines.

In 1970 the Coast Guard built another beacon south of the present lighthouse land and deeded the current land to the town of Ponce Inlet, spurring the founding of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association. The association acquired the designation of a National Historic Landmark for the lighthouse in 1972 and reactivated the light in 1982. Over the past 30 years the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association painstakingly restored this lighthouse to its former splendor and glory.

Majesty Score: 5

With boasting-rights as the tallest lighthouse in Florida and as the second-tallest lighthouse in the country behind Cape Hatteras Light, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is awe-inspiring!

With more than 1.2 million Maryland bricks used in its construction and 213 steps to the top, the brick-red Ponce Inlet Lighthouse easily scores the top score of 5 on majesty!

Similar to Cape Hatteras, visitors on the lighthouse grounds will have difficulty trying to get the whole lighthouse in their camera frame, and a horizontal picture of the lighthouse encompassing the whole lighthouse in nearly impossible to capture due to its height.

Water View Score: 3

The only scoring consideration Ponce Inlet Lighthouse does not score strong in is water view. The lighthouse is a few blocks’ walk from the ocean and the ocean cannot be seen from the lighthouse complex at ground level.

Preservation Score: 5

The Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association has provided lighthouse lovers everywhere with an unpayable debt in restoring this lighthouse during the past three decades. In 2000 and 2001, over $1 Million was put into restoration of this lighthouse.

The lighthouse grounds are PRISTINELY preserved and are one of the few places in America where all of the original buildings in the lighthouse complex are perfectly preserved. It allows visitors to enter an 1800s time capsule with eight historic buildings intact: the keeper’s dwelling, two assistant keeper’s dwellings,(see below) a pump house, a woodshed, a generator building, an oil storage building and, of course, the light tower.

Surrounding Area Score: 4

The surrounding area of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is beautiful! The ride down Atlantic Avenue to the lighthouse features high-rise condominiums along the ocean coexisting with beach homes.

The Volusia County Beaches are beautiful and feature sand that is so tightly packed down that the county allows cars to drive along the beach. This is a treat to many people from other areas of the country that do not allow cars on beaches. The beaches are also known for their turtle nesting every year. The southern tail end of Daytona Beach is only a few blocks drive from the lighthouse for a quick ocean visit, or New Smyrna Beach is just a 30 minute car ride from the lighthouse and is gorgeous – definitely worth a visit!

Accessibility Score: 5

Visitors have access to every building in the complex and can climb the tower to the top for a small admission fee. A plaque on the wall midway through the tower climb tells the story of a light keeper who had a heart attack while climbing the same stairs. It was quite a conversation piece to huffing and puffing tourists.

Upon reaching the top of the tower, the visitor of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is treated to one of the best views of any lighthouses in America (see below), courtesy of the light’s position on land between two bodies of water, thus featuring a view of the ocean to the east and an inlet view behind it to the west.

Aquinnah, Massachusetts

Historic Significance Score: 3

In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold built the first colonial settlement in New England on the small island of Cuttyhunk, which is presently located on the northern edge of Massachusetts’ Vineyard Sound.

Upon the establishment of Cuttyhunk, Gosnold would frequently cross the sound to an island dense with wild grapes that he eventually named Martha’s Vineyard. Legend states it was named after his daughter.

Upon Gosnold’s visits to the island, he encountered the settlement of the Wampanoag Indian tribe.

In 1642, the first European settlement was established on the eastern shore of Martha’s Vineyard at Great Harbor, which is present-day Edgartown.

In 1798, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton secured $5,750 from Congress to establish a lighthouse on the westernmost location on the island to assist mariners to navigate through Buzzard’s Bay and the treachurous, underwater sand formation of Devil’s Bridge, which ran out to sea from this eastern tip of the island.

The lighthouse location, called Gay Head — named for the brightly colored rock formations on the 100-foot scenic cliffs — received a basic octagon lighthouse in 1799. Lighthouse keeper Ebenezer Skiff was appointed lightkeeper and lived alongside the Wampanoag Tribe, eventually becoming an educator to them.

In 1844, a brick concentrical tower replaced the original lighthouse at Gay Head, and eight years later this structure was designated the ninth most important lighthouse on the eastern seaboard of America. Soon after this designation, the lighthouse received a first-order Fresnel lens that was previously showcased as a high-tech wonder of the 19th century at the World’s Fair in Paris, France.

The coastal location of Gay Head was witness to one of the worse maritime accidents in New England history when in 1884 the passenger ferry City of Columbus ran aground on the Devil’s Bridge ledge, killing more than 100 passengers.

Today, the beautiful lighthouse at Gay Head is still an active guide to navigation but is leased by the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society. In 1999 it was added to the list of the National Register of Historic Places.

Majesty Score: 5

Gay Head Lighthouse features one of the most dramatic and picturesque locations for a lighthouse on the Eastern Coast of the United States. With a tower height of only 51 feet, the lighthouse is grandious in person because it is perched on the 130-foot cliffs of the location and offers a breathtaking view of the sound and surrounding area.

Near a small section of shops and parking for the lighthouse is an overlook that presents one of the most breathtaking lighthouse views and best lighthouse photo ops in America. Waves crash 100 feet below as you look north to see the Gay Head Lighthouse on top of brown, white and red cliffs smothered in thick green vegetation.

Water View Score: 5

Gay Head Lighthouse offers one of the most picturesque locations and beautiful water views of any lighthouse in America. On a clear day you can see for miles.

We would strongly recommend visiting this lighthouse at sunset, when by chance most of the tours are offered. This will allow you to see the sunset’s direct horizontal light blaze up the colors of the cliffs. This western location on the island is also one of the best places to watch the sun set on the water each evening.

Preservation Score: 3

Three of the lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard: Gay Head, East Chop and Edgartown lighthouses are currently maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society under a 30-year lease with the U.S. Coast Guard. They have done a commendable job on safeguarding these beacons.

The Gay Head Lighthouse does show signs of wear and is a little tattered, but that seems only to add to its mystique. In addition, the cliffs around the lighthouse are closed as erosion presents a danger for tourists and will eventually threaten the lighthouse.

Surrounding Area Score: 5

The real benefit of this lighthouse trip is visiting the beautiful Massachussets island of Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard receives our highest score as one of the most beautiful locations in America!

At about 25 miles long and only seven miles wide at the widest point, the Vineyard is actually a collection of small towns, each with their own allure and feel.

Vineyard Haven, the port where most ferry passengers arrive, features the small Main Street one block north of the ferry terminal with a selection of boutique and souvenier shops. The ferries coming and going to Martha’s Vineyard get sold out very quickly during the summer and advanced reservations are definitely recommended. Many times, your vacations will have to planned around ferry openings. For complete details on the ferries, please visit the the Woods Hole Ferry Web site. Passenger ferries also leave from New Bedford, Mass.

The town of Edgartown (below right) is the quinessential New England seaside town with rennovated old captain’s houses looking out to sea. The town offers great restaurants and shopping as well as a ferry to Chappaquiddick island. Our personal favorite was the town of Oak Bluffs (below left), which is know by the locals as the most liveliest town on the island. Featuring fine restaurants and nightlife, Oak Bluffs is a town where an extended stay is recommended.

The calmer tourist can experience the beautiful town center of the great lawn marked with a gazebo. Surrounding that are many huge mariners homes pointed out to sea.

In addition, Oak Bluffs features the Methodist camp site that features brightly colored, one-room Victorian gingerbread-style cottages that were used for retreats and first gave Martha’s Vineyard its resort reputation. Oak Bluffs also plays host to the oldest merry-go-round in the country, the Flying Horses.

Truro, Massachusetts

Historic Significance Score: 5

In 1794, Reverend James Freeman, writing on behalf of the Massachusetts Historical Society, requested the Federal Government to build a lighthouse on the land that was considered the highest elevation point of Cape Cod, and that was positioned a few miles south of a dangerous waterway known as Peaked Hill Bars.

After the approval of Congress, Highland Light, named for its geographic location, was built in 1797. It was the 7th light constructed in the new country.

After many repairs to the original wooden light, the current standing lighthouse was built in 1857 for $15,000 and fitted with a first order Fresnel lens which was important for ocean lighthouses that needed far reaching visibility. This first order Fresnel made the lighthouse one of the brightest on the eastern seaboard.

In 1901, an even larger 1st order Fresnel lens was placed in the lighthouse that unquestionably established Highland Lighthouse as the brightest beacon in America.

During the European/American immigration of the late 1800’s, Highland Lighthouse would be the first site of America that many immigrants would see as they approached Boston Harbor, and pursued their dreams in their new land.

In World War I, the US Navy used the land at Highland Lighthouse to build a Navy radio station that was very important to our offshore Naval efforts.

In the bicentennial year, the light’s name was officially change to Cape Cod Light.

After 140 years of cliff erosion, which can be up to 3 feet a year, the light’s position became dangerously close to the edge of 100 foot cliffs. The edge of the cliff placement that was originally meant to aid the beacon cast its light, now threatened its existence. Realizing the severity of the situation, the Truro Historical Society spearheaded a grass roots effort to collect funds to save North Truro’s most popular landmark.

The $150,000 dollars that was raised by the Historical Society was complimented by $1.5 million in government funds, and the lighthouse in 1996 was moved 450 ft. back from the edge of the cliffs by the same company that moved the Block Island Southeast Light a few years prior.

Majesty Score: 4

In April 2001, wide spread revamping was done to the light tower and really made the tower look pristine. The repairs took care of stripping the lead paint inside the tower and included a comprehensive campaign against rust.

This overhall and renovation was in addition to the much publicized relocation of the 900,000 pound structure in 1996.

The site is managed by the Highland Museum and Lighthouse, Inc. They do a very an extremely commendable job.

This Massachusetts’ Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Surrounding Area Score: 4

North Truro is a beautiful community with a lot of waterfront property. Unfortunately, Route 6, which cuts the Cape in half running up the center of the land mass has no ocean views while traveling up the Cape to Truro, thus making the ride somewhat uneventful.

One must really leave the main route to see and enjoy the serene Atlantic Ocean beaches or the bay on the western side of this gorgeous outbranch of the country.

The population of the Cape tends to get more scattered and the area more remote as one travels north on the Cape. North Truro is really a great community and would be great for a visit or vacation stay! Cape Cod has great lodging and cozy bed and breakfasts to let your enjoy your lighthouse vacation or to return to Cape Cod many times.

Accessibility Score: 5

Cape Cod Light rates a 5 on accessibility and offers a great chance to climb the light tower and really enjoy the view!

What makes this light tower so unforgettable is that it is situated right in the middle of the Highland Links Golf Course! It is really something to see – – a lighthouse right in the middle of a 9 hole golf course!

Highland Light Golf Course, a Scottich links style 9 hole golf course, is the one of the oldest golf courses on the east coast, dating back to 1892.

The light was originally on the edge of the course, but with its relocation back from the eroding cliffs the lighthouse almost kisses the 7th hole!

When we were there the tour guide showed us a light tower window that was shattered with a sliced golf ball. Fore!!!!!!!!!! You can actually see the window taped up to the right. So please keepem’ on the fairway and take mercy on this national treasure.

As a suggestion to those who can play golf, a quick round of golf might be justified because it opens access areas around the lighthouse to you that non-golf visitors can’t get to. You can practice taking a few shots off your game and take some really great shots that most of the tourists would not be able to get. Also, the 3rd hole is right up against the cliffs on the south side looking back at the lighthouse and will let you get a shot of the light with the ocean sprawled out to its right!

One nice effort on the part of North Truro is that they have assembled a wooden lookout/observation porch near the edge of the cliffs where everyone can get a great view of the ocean.

The lighthouse tour guides at Cape Cod Lighthouse are very good and make the history of the light come alive.

The keeper’s house features a gift shop and a small museum on the light.

Also, the lighthouse tour hours are very visitor friendly. The grounds are open all year, and the tower is open from May until October, 7 days a week, 10:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Please check the link below for specifics.